Hello all, my steering is very stiff. I've figured out that my right tie rod end is loose...would that cause it? or is it unrelated? It is a 2001 s60 Base


Further information:
Fluid reservoir is fine, pump seems fine but hard to tell
The issue is that my steering will go smooth to stiff to smooth to stiff depending on speed and orientation, so it seems like a mechanical part to me?
Also heard it could be air bubbles...

 

Possibly the lower U-joint gets seized.

 

How would I fix this? Grease? I couldn't couldn't find replacements online but perhaps I am searching for the wrong part

 

The U-joint is secured with a bolt on the engine compartment side and another one under the pedals. The problem is, the joint usually it's seized on the steering shaft and hard to remove. Here's what it looks like link . You can remove the 14mm bolt under the pedals, then remove the black rubber boot kept by a large clip (the small bearing inside the boot can rust and seize as well), then you can move the joint and see if it moves freely or it's seized. From there, if it's seized it's possible to help with a little bit of transmission oil or synthetic engine oil - no WD40 or similar lubricants since it doesn't work for long and in cold temperatures it tends to freeze.